Introduction

0.1 General

There is an increasing need for organizations to focus on protecting their information at the application level. A systematic approach towards increasing the level of application security provides an organization with evidence that information being used or stored by its applications is being adequately protected.

ISO/IEC 27034 (all parts) provides concepts, principles, frameworks, components and processes to assist organizations in integrating security seamlessly throughout the life cycle of their applications.

The Application Security Control (ASC) is one of the key components of ISO/IEC 27034 (all parts). To facilitate the implementation of the ISO/IEC 27034 (all parts) application security framework and the communication and exchange of ASCs, a formally defined exchange format is required.

This documents is a Technical Specification document and defines XML Schemas of essential attributes of ASCs and further details the Application Security Life Cycle Reference Model.

0.2 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to define XML schemas that implement the essential information and data structure requirements for ASCs as well as the Application Security Lifecycle Reference Model (ASLCRM). The advantages of a standardized set of essential information attributes and data structure of ASCs include the following:

a) facilitate the exchange of application security controls (ASCs);
b) provide a formally defined reference model for tool vendors, ASC suppliers and acquirers.

0.3 Targeted audiences

0.3.1 General

The following audiences will find values and benefits when carrying their designated organizational roles:

a) managers;
b) ONF committee;
c) domain experts;
d) suppliers;
e) acquirers.

0.3.2 Managers

Managers should read this document because they are responsible for:

a) ensuring the ASCs are reusable within the organization; and
b) ensuring the ASCs are available, communicated and used in application projects with proper tools and procedures all across the organization.

0.3.3 ONF Committee

The ONF Committee is responsible for managing the implementation and maintenance of the application-security-related components and processes in the Organization Normative Framework. The ONF Committee needs to:

a) implement the ASC Library;
b) approve ASCs that correctly mitigate application security risks; and
c) manage the cost of implementing and maintaining the ASCs.

0.3.4 Domain experts

Domain experts contribute knowledge in application provisioning, operating or auditing, who need to:

a) participate in ASC development, validation and verification;
b) participate in ASC implementation and maintenance, by proposing strategies, components and implementation processes for adapting ASCs to the organization's context; and
c) validate that ASCs are useable and useful in application projects.

0.3.5 ASC suppliers

Suppliers contribute to develop, maintain and distribute tools and/or ASCs. They need to:

a) create, validate, sign, distribute and apply ASCs; and
b) be aligned with a common and standardized exchange protocol (structure and format) for ASCs.

0.3.6 ASC acquirers

Acquires are individuals or organizations who want to acquire ASCs. They need to:

a) integrate ASCs into their organization and ensure the interoperability of any internal and third-party ASCs;
b) adapt and sign ASCs to enforce their integrity; and
c) ensure that the activities and tasks of acquired ASCs can be mapped to the organization’s application lifecycle.

PD ISO/IEC TS 27034-5-1:2018

Information technology. Application security - Protocols and application security controls data structure, XML schemas

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 May 2018